Wilmette Teacher Joyce Schladweiler Receives "Excellence" Award From National Alliance On Mental Illness

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Cook County North Suburban (NAMI-CCNS) is pleased to announce that member Joyce Schladweiler of Wilmette is the recipient of NAMI Illinois' Katie Petray Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Schladweiler was honored at the NAMI Illinois' Annual State Conference during its award banquet held on October 18 at the Lisle Hilton. She has taught the acclaimed 12-week NAMI signature psycho-education “Family to Family” course 10 times in the past nine years, totaling 132 family members, for which she successfully completed an intensive three-day training to become a teacher.

Schladweiler has advanced to become a "teacher trainer" and has trained family members of loved ones coping with mental illnesses throughout Illinois.

NAMI-CCNS Co-President Julie Savastio commented on the award’s recognition of Schladweiler’s long-time passion of helping family and friends caring for a loved one suffering from a mental illness: "Joyce has poured her heart into this life-saving course. She is a dedicated, highly knowledgeable NAMI CCNS parent whose compassion and understanding is highly regarded by all those who have attended her classes over the years, as well as by our board, and the many mental health professionals who refer family members to us for "Family to Family." No one in Illinois deserves this prestigious award more than Joyce.

Fellow NAMI CCNS member, Barb Maier, received the Petray Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2007.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Cook County North Suburban (NAMI-CCNS) is a not-for-profit volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. It is a local affiliate of NAMI that boasts over 200,000 members. Numerous Free education programs are offered. Visit www.namiccns.org for more information.